Rotary parlour for milking of animals

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a rotary parlour for milking of animals. The parlour comprises a rotary platform ( 3 ) arranged to constitute a support surface for the animals, stalling means arranged to divide the platform ( 3 ) into stalls for receiving individual animals ( 1 ), driving means arranged to rotate the platform ( 3 ) and milking means ( 11 ) arranged to be attached to the animals ( 1 ). The platform ( 3 ) comprises a number of platform modules ( 8 ) each having a front edge ( 9 ) connected to a rear edge ( 10 ) of another platform module ( 8 ) at a determined angle of at least two possible angles in relation to each other in such a manner that the platform ( 3 ) obtains an annular extension having a size related to said determined angle.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to a rotary parlour for milking ofanimals, wherein the parlour comprises a rotary platform arranged toconstitute a support surface for the animals, stalling means arranged todivide the platform into stalls for receiving individual animals,driving means arranged to rotate the platform and milking means arrangedto be attached to the animals.

Principally, rotary parlours are used for milking cows and to reduce theworking time for the operators. The parlours have an automatic cow entryand exit, which eliminates the working time for the operators whencontrolling the moving of the cows to and from the stalls. There are twotypes of rotary parlours, internal rotary parlours, where the cows faceoutwards and the operators work from the inside of the platform, andexternal rotary parlours, where the cows face inwards and the operatorswork from the outside of the platform.

The construction and size of the rotary parlour must be suited to therequirements of individual farmers. The size of the rotary platformmust, for example, be adapted to the farmer's available space and numberof cows. A rotary parlour arranged to receive about 20 to 40 cows is toolarge to be transported. Consequently, the assembly of the parlours insitu is required. In order to reduce the manufacturing costs of rotaryparlours, it is important to reduce the number of included parts and theassembly time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to achieve a rotary parlour formilking of animals of the initial kind, which is able to be constructedin different sizes in a simple way and to relatively low costs.

This object is achieved by the rotary parlour initially defined, whichis characterised in that the platform comprises a number of platformmodules each having a front edge connected to a rear edge of anotherplatform module at a determined angle of at least two possible angles inrelation to each other in such a manner that the platform obtains anannular extension having a size related to said determined angle. By thefront and rear edges of the platform module is meant the respectivefront and rear edges of the platform module with respect to the rotarydirection of the platform. The platform modules may be connected to eachother in a great number of angles and preferably in a continuous way. Byusing such platform modules, it is possible to construct circularplatforms of substantially arbitrary sizes. Advantageously, the platformmodules are identical and may therefore be manufactured in largequantity to low costs. The platform modules have a support surfaceprovided with an adequate friction to prevent accidents and a strengthenabling a stable support of the animals. The platform modules may bemanufactured of a suitable material as, for example, plastics, steel orconcrete.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the front and rear edges ofthe platform modules have supplementary shapes. By such shapes, it ispossible to provide a substantially smooth support surface along thewhole extension of the annular platform. Consequently, irregularitiesand gaps occurring between the front and rear edges of adjacent platformmodules are eliminated. A platform having a substantially smooth supportsurface has no obstacles on which the animals may stumble. A smoothsurface is also easy to clean. Preferably, one of said edges issubstantially semicircularly convex and the other edge is substantiallysemicircularly concave. Edges having such shapes are supplementaryindependently of the actual angle between the platform modules. By usingsuch platform modules, platforms of arbitrary sizes and having asubstantially smooth surface, may be manufactured.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the determined anglebetween the front and rear edges of adjacent platform modules isestablished by at least one coupling member extending between saidplatform modules. Such a coupling member may be an elongated jointhaving its ends rigidly connected to the respective adjacent platformmodule. Preferably, each platform module has at one of said front andrear edges at least one hole receiving a first end of the couplingmember in a fixed position and at the other of said edges a curvedelongated aperture receiving a second end of the coupling member in avariable position along the extension of the aperture.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, each of the platformmodules has an underlying framework unit. Such framework units areuseable in order to construct rotary parlour of different sizes. Theobject of the framework units is to minimise the deformation of theplatform depending on the weight of the animals. Advantageously, theframework is used of standardised beams, like U-beams and L-beams,welded or screwed together. Preferably, a coupling device may extendbetween said framework units establishing the determined angle betweenthe front and rear edges of adjacent platform modules. The couplingdevice may comprise means as, for example, wedges for connecting theadjacent framework units in different angles in relation to each otherand thereby the supported platform modules. Advantageously, theunderlying framework comprises a rail device, which may be supported ona number of rollers located under the platform. The rollers may berotary arranged in stands positioned on the floor under the platform.Consequently, the platform will rotate on the rollers with a lowfriction and with a low noise.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the annular platformmay have its inner circumference edge located at a higher level than itsouter circumference edge. Preferably, the annular platform has a planesurface sloping about 3° in relation to a horizontal plane. Thissimplifies the cleaning of the platform because water and dirt rinse offeasily. By such a sloping of the platform, it will be a small differencein height between the connected front and rear edges of the platformmodules. The value of the difference in height varies in relation to theangle between the platforms modules. If, for example, the shape of thesurface of the platform modules is designed to have no difference inheight between the platform modules at a manufactured platformcomprising 23 platform modules, the difference in height for amanufactured platform of 16 or 40 such platform modules is less than 2,5mm.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the driving meansmay comprise at least one driving wheel located under the platform andarranged to drive the platform by a friction-plate rigidly mounted tothe underside of the platform. A suitable drive motor is arranged todrive the driving wheel, which has an appropriate surface engaging saidfriction-plate. By using such driving means, the platform obtains asimple and reliable rotary motion.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the stalling meansmay comprise a bar arrangement provided on each of the platform modules.The purpose of the bar arrangement is to create a good positioning ofthe animal during the milking operation. Preferably, each platformmodule is provided with an identical bar arrangement. Thereby, such abar arrangement may be articulately connected to identical bararrangements on the adjacent platform modules. The stalling means may bearranged to provide the animals in a herringbone pattern along theannular platform. In this case, the animals may be placed closedtogether on the platform. Other types of stalling pattern for theanimals are also possible to use.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, each of the platformmodules may comprise milking means and a feeding trough. Thereby, asimple attachment of the milking means, as a cluster, to the animal isobtained. A feeding trough attracts the animal and facilitates thepositioning of the animal in the stall. The milking period is also asuitable occasion to feed the animals, which by the feeding becomesrelaxed during the milking operation.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the rotary parlourcomprises an entry for the animals to the platform at its outercircumference and an exit for the animals from the annular platform atits outer circumference, wherein the exit is located beside the entry.Consequently, the animals rotate nearly 360° during the milkingoperation. The entry may have a gate, which open periodically inresponse to the position of the platform and is arranged to close afteran animal has entered the platform and moved into a stall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means ofpreferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, and withreference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a rotary parlour for milking of cows,

FIG. 2 shows a rotary parlour for milking of cows according to theinvention,

FIG. 3 shows a part of the rotary parlour according to the invention andhaving a cow positioned in a stall.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a part of the rotary parlour,

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of a coupling member arranged betweentwo platform modules,

FIG. 5A shows a vertical cross sectional view through two platformmodules taken along line A—A of FIG. 5, showing the first embodiment ofa coupling member,

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a coupling member arranged betweentwo platform modules,

FIG. 6A shows a vertical cross sectional view through through twoplatform modules taken along line B—B of FIG. 6, showing the secondembodiment of a coupling member,

FIG. 7 shows a view from the above of framework units arranged under theplatform modules,

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a coupling device arranged to actbetween two framework units,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a stand equipped with supportrollers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a rotary parlour for milking of cows 1. The cows 1 arearranged to walk through an entry 2 to enter a rotary platform 3. Theplatform 3 is annular and includes stalling means arranged to positionthe cows 1 in stalls 4 in a herringbone pattern. Each stall 4 has amilking unit, not shown, arranged to be attached to the cow 1. In FIG.1, the cows face outwards from the stalls 4 and an operator 5 works fromthe inside of the annular platform 3. The cows rotate nearly 360° on theplatform 3 during the milking operation. Then, the cow 1 leaves thestall 4 and the platform 3 through an exit 6 after having been milkedand fed during the milking operation.

In FIG. 2 shows a rotary parlour according to the invention. The rotaryparlour comprises a pit 7 arranged to receive the platform 3. The pit 7is cast and has an inner circular wall, which has to have a smoothsurface to keep the platform 3 in a proper position in the pit 7. Theplatform 3 comprises a number of platform modules 8 having a front edge9 connected to a rear edge 10 of another platform module. The platformmodules 8 are possible to connect to each other at a determined angle ofa plurality of possible angles in such a manner that the platform 3obtains an annular extension having a size related to the number ofplatform modules 8 and the determined angle between the platform modules8. Each of the platform modules 8 comprises stalling means in form of abar arrangement. The bar arrangement is arranged to divide the platform3 into stalls 4 receiving a cow. The bar arrangements position the cowsin a herringbone pattern along the annular platform 3 during the milkingoperation. Each of the platform modules 8 comprises milking meanscomprising a cluster 11. The cluster 11 is attached to the cow of theoperator 5 after the cow has entered the stall. The cluster 11 isautomatically removed from the cow before the cow reaches the exit 6.Each of the platform modules 8 comprises a feeding trough 12. Thefeeding troughs 12 are arranged to attract the cows 1 and hencefacilitate the positioning of the cows 1 in the stall 4. The milkingperiod is a suitable occasion to feed the animals 1 and the cows becomecalm by the feeding.

FIG. 3 shows a cow 1 in a milking position. The bar arrangementcomprises a rumprail 13 used to positioning the cow correctly in thestall 4. The rumprail 13 also works as a protection for the operator 5and prevents the cow from accidentally falling or stepping into thecentre of the parlour. The rumprail 13 includes two extensible partsenabling adjustment of the length of the rumprail at differentconnection angles between the platform modules 8. The rumprails 13 areat their ends connected to posts 14 fixedly attached to the platforms 8.The bar arrangement also comprises rods 15, 16 arranged to stiffen therumprails 13. A rod 15 is fixedly attached to each platform module 8 bytwo rods 16 and a post 14. The rods 15 are articulated to each other atthe centre of the platform 3 above the cows. Each of the feeding troughs12 is supported on the platform modules 8 by means of a post 17 andsupporting means 18 arranged under the front of the feeding through 12.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 5A shows an arrangement connecting the platform modules8 in a variable angle in relation to each other. The platform module 8having a front edge 9, which is semicircularly convex, and a rear edge10, which is semicircularly concave. Thereby, the front edges 8 and therear edges 9 have supplementary shapes also when two adjacent platformmodules 8 are turned to different angles relatively to each other. Anupper semicircular part at the front edge 9 of the platform modules 8 isremoved as a semicircular lower supplementary part at the rear edge 10.In order to fix the platform modules 8 in a desired position, theplatform modules 8 have an elongated curved aperture 20 at the frontedge and a plurality of holes 19 at the rear edge 10. Coupling members21 are inserted in the holes 19 of a platform module 8 and in theaperture 20 of an adjacent platform module 8 in order to rigidly connectthe platform modules 8 in a desired position in relation to each other.Such coupling 21 members may comprise a bolt and a nut.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A shows an alternative arrangement connecting theplatform modules 8 in a variable angle in relation to each other. Theplatform module 8 comprises at its front edge a plurality of holes 19extending downwards in the platform module 8. Each of the holes 19 has apassage extruding outwardly through the lateral surface of the frontedge 9. The platform module 8 comprises at its rear edge 10 an elongatedaperture 20 through the lateral surface of the rear edges 10. A couplingmember 21 is arranged to be inserted in the holes 19 of a platformmodule 8 and in the aperture 20 of an adjacent platform module 8.Thereby, the coupling member 21 extends between the platform modules 8and connects them rigidly at a desired angular position against eachother.

In FIG. 7, two framework units 22 connected to each other are shown. Theframework units 22 are arranged to support the platform modules 8 fromthe underside. Each of the platform modules 8 is loosely provided on anunderlying framework unit 22. The framework units 22 are constructed ofa number of beams 23 welded together. The framework units 22 alsocomprise two rail members 24 arranged in parallel. A coupling device 25is used to connect the rail members 24 of adjacent framework units 22 toeach other. By using such a coupling device 25 between adjacentframework units 22, the platform modules 8 have not to be connected toeach other as described in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The coupling device 25 is shown in detail, in FIG. 8. At the top of thecoupling device 25 there are two bent sheets 26 welded on a horizontalplate 27. The horizontal plate 27 comprises a plurality of elongatedholes 28. The bent sheets 26 are used to support the platform modules 8,but they also prevent the coupling device 25 from wrenching. A verticalplate 29 comprising holes 30 is arranged to connect the horizontal upperplate 27 to a horizontally arranged lower plate 31. The lower plate 31has a bottom surface arranged to form an extension between the railmembers 24 in order to constitute a continuously rail surface on theunderside of the framework units 22. For the purpose to arrange theframework units 22 in a connection angle in relation to each other,wedges 32 are used to be arranged between the vertical plate 29 of thecoupling device 25 and the rail members 24. The wedges 32 have holes oneach side to fit with the holes 30 of the plate 29 of the couplingdevice 25 and the rail members 24. Bolts are provided in the holes andconnect thereby two adjacent the rail members 24 in a connection anglein relation to each other. In order to provide different connectionangles between the framework units 22 wedges 32 of different sizes areused.

The rail members 24 and the bottom surface of the coupling device 25shapes a continuously rail surface, which is substantially smooth. Therail surface is supported by a number of rollers 33 rotary provided onstands 34, which are fixedly arranged on a floor located under theplatform 3. By using such rollers 33, the platform 3 is allowed torotate silently and with a minimum of friction.

Each of the framework units 22 also comprises a friction-plate 35. Thefriction-plates 35 of adjacent framework units 22 are connected to eachother by a transverse beam 36, which locks a front portion of afriction-plate 35 to a rear portion of the adjacent friction-plate 35.Thereby, the friction-plates 35 provide a continuous surface at thebottom. In order to rotate the platform 3, a driver motor is arranged todrive a driving wheel, which is arranged to be in contact with thefriction-plates 35. Thus, the driving wheel is able to rotate theplatform with a desired rotary speed. The framework units 22 alsocomprise a pit-edge wheel 37. The pit-edge wheel 37 is arranged tofollow the inner lateral surface of the pit 7 and force the platform tostay in place even after a heavy push from a cow.

The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments in thefigures, but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.

1. A rotary parlour for milking of cows, wherein the parlour comprises:a rotary platform arranged to constitute a support surface for the cows,wherein the platform further comprises a plurality of platform moduleseach having a front edge and a rear edge: stalling means arranged todivide the platform into stalls for receiving individual cows duringmilking; driving means arranged to rotate the platform; milking meansarranged to be attached to the cows; and a plurality of coupling memberswhich rigidly connect the front edge of each platform module to a rearedge of another adjacent platform module at a determined angle of atleast two possible angles in relation to each other in such a mannerthat the platform obtains an annular extension having a size related tosaid determined angle.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein thefront edge and rear edge of the platform modules have supplementaryshapes.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein one of said front andrear edges is substantially semicircularly convex and the other of saidfront and rear edges is substantially semicircularly concave.
 4. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the determined connection anglebetween the front and rear edges of adjacent platform modules isestablished by at least one coupling member extending between saidplatform modules.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein eachplatform module has at least at one of said front and rear edges, atleast one hole receiving a first end of the coupling member in a fixedposition and at the other of said front and rear edges a curvedelongated aperture receiving a second end of the coupling member in avariable position along the extension of the aperture.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the platform modules has anunderlying framework unit.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein acoupling device extending between said framework units establishes saidconnection angle between the front and rear edges of adjacent platformmodules.
 8. A device according to claim 6, wherein the underlyingframework units comprise a rail device arranged to be supported on anumber of rollers located under the platform.
 9. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the platform is annular and has its inner,circumference edge located at a higher level than its outercircumference edge.
 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein thedriving means comprises at least one driving wheel located under theplatform and arranged to drive the platform by contact with afriction-plate fixedly mounted on the underside of the platform.
 11. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the stalling means comprises a bararrangement on the adjacent platform modules.
 12. A device according toclaim 11, wherein each bar arrangement is articulately connected to abar arrangement on the adjacent platform modules.
 13. A device accordingto claim 11, wherein the platform is annular and the stalling means isarranged to position the cows in a herringbone pattern along the annularplatform.
 14. A device according to claim 1, wherein each of theplatform modules comprises a milking unit.
 15. A device according toclaim 1, wherein each of the platform modules comprises a feedingtrough.
 16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the platform isannular and the rotary parlour comprises an entry for the cows to theannular platform.
 17. A device according to claim 1, wherein theplatform is annular and the rotary parlour comprises an exit for theanimals cows from the annular platform.
 18. A device according to claim7, wherein the underlying framework units comprise a rail devicearranged to be supported on a number of rollers located under theplatform.
 19. A device according to claim 12, wherein the platform isannular and the stalling means is arranged to position the animals in aherringbone pattern along the annular platform.
 20. A rotary parlour formilking of cows, wherein the parlour comprises: a rotary platformarranged to constitute a support surface for the cows; stalling meansarranged to divide the platform into stalls for receiving individualcows during milking; driving means arranged to rotate the platform;milking means arranged to be attached to the cows; and wherein theplatform further comprises a plurality of platform modules, each of saidplatform modules having an underlying framework unit, and furtherincluding a plurality of coupling devices, one of said coupling devicesextending between framework units of adjacent modules for connecting afront edge of one module to a rear edge of another adjacent platformmodule at a determined angle of at least two possible connection anglesin relation to each other whereby the coupling device establishes thedetermined angle and the platform comprised of said platform modules hasan annular extension having a size related to said determined angle.